2008 Woodie Awards
Editorial: Students: Don't vote if you can't choose
Issue date: 3/31/08 Section: Editorial
During the past week, the campaigns leading up to the direct election of the Student Government Association (SGA) president have taken some unusual, unexpected and unprecedented turns. A series of events has cast disturbing light on the SGA elections, starting with Marines Piney dropping out of the race and ending with tonight's vote to decide whether new candidate Dan Kamyck will appear on the ballot.
Last Monday, Piney dropped out. She told the Senate at that week's meeting that day, and announced her decision to the student body later that evening at the start of what was intended to be a debate between two candidates.
That night, the SGA Rules Committee voted to reopen nominations, and by Tuesday Dan Kamyck, a junior marketing major, had entered the race. Senators had a day to place a block on Kamyck's candidacy, and at 8:26 p.m. Tuesday, senator Lucas Rose, a sophomore business major, e-mailed a block just before the 9 p.m. deadline. Rose has not yet publicly explained the reason he moved to block Kamyck's candidacy.
That was where the breakneck pace of unfolding events suddenly stopped, as the Senate would not vote on Rose's block until their next weekly meeting, which will take place tonight at 7:30 p.m.
This timing issue is inappropriate and exceedingly unfair to both the student body and Kamyck. The Senate should have convened a special session; waiting five days to weigh the block has hurt the integrity of the direct election process.
Moreover, the SGA will not make its decision until after a debate between Kamyck and Rob Ranley, the other candidate in the election, which is being hosted by the Resident Student Association (RSA) tonight at 6 p.m. Plus, voting starts tomorrow morning, so this all will be decided the night before elections begin. Rose's block has hung over Kamyck's head for nearly a week. Up to this point, the day before voting commences, no one knows why it was even filed.
Tonight, the SGA will finally hear Rose's reasons for moving to block Kamyck's candidacy. The timing of the vote is absurd: The SGA will decide if Kamyck will be allowed to be a candidate after the RSA debate. In many ways, the two-thirds of senators needed to support Rose's block could instead be voting on whether or not they want Kamyck to run.
Last Monday, Piney dropped out. She told the Senate at that week's meeting that day, and announced her decision to the student body later that evening at the start of what was intended to be a debate between two candidates.
That night, the SGA Rules Committee voted to reopen nominations, and by Tuesday Dan Kamyck, a junior marketing major, had entered the race. Senators had a day to place a block on Kamyck's candidacy, and at 8:26 p.m. Tuesday, senator Lucas Rose, a sophomore business major, e-mailed a block just before the 9 p.m. deadline. Rose has not yet publicly explained the reason he moved to block Kamyck's candidacy.
That was where the breakneck pace of unfolding events suddenly stopped, as the Senate would not vote on Rose's block until their next weekly meeting, which will take place tonight at 7:30 p.m.
This timing issue is inappropriate and exceedingly unfair to both the student body and Kamyck. The Senate should have convened a special session; waiting five days to weigh the block has hurt the integrity of the direct election process.
Moreover, the SGA will not make its decision until after a debate between Kamyck and Rob Ranley, the other candidate in the election, which is being hosted by the Resident Student Association (RSA) tonight at 6 p.m. Plus, voting starts tomorrow morning, so this all will be decided the night before elections begin. Rose's block has hung over Kamyck's head for nearly a week. Up to this point, the day before voting commences, no one knows why it was even filed.
Tonight, the SGA will finally hear Rose's reasons for moving to block Kamyck's candidacy. The timing of the vote is absurd: The SGA will decide if Kamyck will be allowed to be a candidate after the RSA debate. In many ways, the two-thirds of senators needed to support Rose's block could instead be voting on whether or not they want Kamyck to run.
Viewing Comments 1 - 8 of 17
Voter
posted 3/31/08 @ 7:31 AM EST
Not only is SGA trying to decide this election for us, but they'll do it behind CLOSED DOORS. The Executive Board is planning to hold tonight's Joint Senate in Executive Session. (Continued…)
Senator
posted 3/31/08 @ 9:23 AM EST
For all those not knowledgeable with the rules of senate, a block is for the SGA to challenge if the candidate who was nominated during an "Emergency Nomination" has the capacity "to perform the abilities associated with the office for which he or she has been nominated. (Continued…)
SandManMattSH
Matthew Strax-Haber
posted 3/31/08 @ 11:16 AM EST
The article above is deliberately inflammatory. My friend and fellow Senator Lucas Rose has every right to keep his reasons for blocking Senator Dan Kamyck private before the Emergency Joint Senate Monday. (Continued…)
SandManMattSH
Matthew Strax-Haber
posted 3/31/08 @ 11:26 AM EST
Follow-up:
It will take a very very strong argument to convince me that we should block Senator Kamyck from running in the election. I will only vote to affirm the block if I am made to completely believe that Senator Kamyck is not capable of handling the position to the point that I would have voted "No Confidence" if he was the only candidate (a very strong statement, since we need a Student Body President). (Continued…)
Marcus
posted 3/31/08 @ 11:42 AM EST
Dear SGA,
Nobody gives a shit. Your organization lacks real power to change anything of significance at Northeastern. Stop pretending you are the arbiters of change and accept that you are merely administrative pawns. (Continued…)
Pete Townshend
posted 3/31/08 @ 1:35 PM EST
We'll be fighting in the streets
With our children at our feet
And the morals that they worship will be gone
And the men who spurred us on
Sit in judgement of all wrong
They decide and the shotgun sings the song
I'll tip my hat to the new constitution
Take a bow for the new revolution
Smile and grin at the change all around me
Pick up my guitar and play
Just like yesterday
Then I'll get on my knees and pray
We don't get fooled again
MEET THE NEW BOSS
SAME AS THE OLD BOSS
Senator & Student
posted 3/31/08 @ 2:56 PM EST
First and foremost -
The entire intent behind direct elections is to put power in the hands of everyday students. Should we as a Senate decide whether or not Senator Kamyck is a "capable" candidate is completely contrary to the spirit and purpose of direct elections - even if 2/3rds of us do believe it's true. (Continued…)
stop hating
posted 4/01/08 @ 8:43 AM EST
DONT VOTE.
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